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This Is The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox

Meet the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. It still rides on the Theta platform and is the same compact(ish) crossover people know and love. And now, it’s even better thanks to a mild refresh that delivers new styling, premium exterior accents, new wheel designs, new available safety features, and a larger color touchscreen radio. Plus, the rear-vision camera is now standard on entry-level models.

To demonstrate just how important the compact crossover space is to Chevrolet, consider the fact that Equinox sales in the U.S. increased to 242,242units in 2014. That makes the Equinox the second best-selling Chevrolet model in North America after the Silverado. Impressive, wouldn’t you say?

“Chevrolet Equinox is a pillar of the compact SUV segment, thanks to a value rooted in great style, efficiency, safety and connectivity,” said Alan Batey, president, GM North America. “The enhancements to the 2016 Equinox make a versatile vehicle an even better choice, and demonstrate Chevrolet’s commitment to delivering the broadest lineup of SUVs in the industry.”

New and updated features available on the 2016 Equinox include:

  • New trim lineup contains four levels — L, LS, LT and LTZ, thereby streamlining the lineup and eliminating the 1LT and 2LT trims
  • New front fascia and chrome-accented dual-port grille design – including specific chrome trim on LT and LTZ grilles
  • New, premium projector-beam headlamps on all models helps make the Equinox more visible at night
  • New daytime running lamps on LT and LTZ, with reflector-style lamps on L and LS, and light-emitting diode, (LED) lamps on LT and LTZ that create a distinctive, upscale lighting signature
  • New fog lamps on LTZ
  • New, Chevy-signature dual-element taillamps, revised license plate applique and revised lower rear fascia on all models, with chrome trim on LTZ lower fascia
  • New 17-inch aluminum wheels on LT and new 18-inch aluminum wheels on LTZ
  • New available 17-inch wheel optional on LS model
  • New chrome exhaust outlets on V6 models
  • Available Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert safety features on LT and LTZ
  • Standard seven-inch-diagonal Color Touch radio (including Bluetooth phone connectivity) and rear-vision camera on L and LS models
  • Revised instrument panel “center stack” with new storage shelf and updated control graphics
  • New, chrome-trimmed transmission shifter with Electronic Range Selector mode buttons relocated to the top of the shifter handle
  • Enhanced interior fabrics in L and LS designed for a premium look and feel
  • New Saddle Up interior color
  • New universal tablet holders available through dealers from Chevrolet Accessories. They mount on the rear of the front seats to provide convenient access for rear-seat passengers

“The new face of the Equinox is highlighted by a more expressive execution of chrome accents and premium lighting,” said John Cafaro, executive director of design, global Chevrolet cars. “The result is a modern exterior that’s matched inside with premium features on all trim levels, complementing the Equinox’s enhanced technology and functionality.”

We expect that the 2016 Equinox will be on sale for literally one model year before the all-new 2017 Equinox, based on the E2XX vehicle architecture, is launched.

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Comments

  1. Wow. Just as ugly as the updated Cruze. Baffling how little GM puts into its’ most important models. Couldn’t update the base engine to a 2.5L at least?

    Reply
  2. Well Mike the fact is this update is more to help extend this model after next year into fleet sales. With a new one coming the cost for a short term install of the 2.5 would be difficult and time consuming. The testing needed just for emissions along is costly.

    With the new model coming they are just doing a cheap refresh here and will move on soon to the new model and engines.

    As for so little well why would you do much more for one year and sales continue to climb? Shake this model out on the up swing and move on.

    Reply
    1. If this is the cheap update, I am expecting a huge leap for the next generation. I can’t believe there are people who think this looks better..

      Reply
      1. I’m with mike, I prefer the previous model to this one.

        Reply
  3. I think the new front fascia is much better looking than the old one. It looks less… “cute”. I love that wheel design in the pictures.

    If this Equinox is only going to hang around one more year, then I would have to assume it’s going to replace the Captiva as a fleet vehicle after the new Equinox debuts. Otherwise, why go through the trouble of even this much of an update.

    Am I the only one that thinks the drivers-side tailpipe looks crooked in the fourth picture in the gallery (the second picture of the rear)?

    Reply
  4. Still waiting on the terrain update even though the spy photos are out there

    Reply
  5. Come one Gm you guys could of done better then that with the interior and other things on this cuv.. Its just plain o ugly!

    Reply
    1. Erik, as mentioned, this is a one year revamp as the all-new Equinox comes out in 2016. GM isn’t going to spend millions redoing an interior and exterior on a one-year model. Besides, the Equinox just had its best year for sales on what is an now a 6 yr old body so why would GM do a major revamp for one year.

      I am neither here nor there on the new front end. The LED and projector lamps are a nice touch though.

      Reply
  6. Looking more and more like a Ford…

    Reply
  7. The update is okay , nothing ground breaking here . It will keep sales going till the 17 model year . With sales of over 240,000 on a 6 year old CUV , GM didn,t really have to do anything at all .
    Want to see what has happened to the Terrain . If GM ends up going for the same looking front clip as the new Canyon I’ll be keeping the one I have . Same goes for the instrument panel , just not a fan of the looks of the Canyon .

    Reply
  8. Why bother? Very ugly.

    Reply
  9. Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder. I think it looks better than before.

    Reply
  10. Looks good. This update should have been done a few years ago. I would like to know if fog lights will be available in trim levels other than the LTZ.

    Reply
  11. I have a 2009 Equinox and this new model does look better than the 2010-2015 model. The Impala style grille unifies the Chevrolet line more, and I hope that GM will produce an EREV version for the 2017 model.

    Reply
  12. That nose is awful. It doesn’t match any of the things other more fluid lines. GM needs to fire the sap who keeps coming up with these new noses.

    Reply
  13. Not bad, but nothing to write home about. We all knew this was going to be nothing more than a slight refresh, but it’d have been nice to not make the refresh so “slight”. I’ve always been a fan of the exterior design of the Theta twins, but where these CUVs are starting to lose appeal is most definitely the interior! The hard plastics are low grade, and become a nuisance after a few years of ownership! Plus the version of MyLink they’re using in the ’16 ‘Nox is quite dated now!

    Oh well, hopefully 2017 brings a new beginning for these money-makers.

    Reply
  14. It’s a shame, disappointing… same lame improvements as the current Cruze…..

    Reply
  15. Can GM please do something about that rear on the Equinox? It’s ugly and all they did was remove the chrome bit on the back, which in of itself is an improvement but not by much. I’m hoping they revamp that back hatch a bit soon.

    Reply

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